Piazza
Navona...Clickfor a large size pic
The square's shape is the result of its having been built directly
on top of Emperor Domitian's ancient stadium. Just outside the
north end of the square, in the small Piazza Tor Sanguina, you
can still see the remains of the original stadium below street
level. Roman Forum - 4 Miles - The earth of ancient Rome. See
Settimius Severus's Arch, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the
House of the Vestal Virgins, the Basilica Emilia and the Temple
of Vesta.

Pantheon Click
for a large size pic
This is the best preserved and one of the most famous of the
Roman monuments, constructed by Agrippa in 27 B.C. and rebuilt
by Hadrian in A.D. 117-125 to honour important Roman Divinities.
It contains the tombs of Raphael and King Victor Emanuel.

The Vatican MuseumsClick
for a large size pic
The Vatican Museums make up the richest and most extensive museum
collection in the world. The Raphael Stanze and the Sistine
Chapel are worth the price of entrance alone.

Porta Portese Flea Market Click for a large size pic
The Porta Portese flea market straggles all the way down Via
Portuense to Trastevere train station, a riot of antiques, bric-a-brac,
old clothes, and pure junk.

The Church of Sant'Ignazio
In the "centro storico", the church of Sant'Ignazio
has a marvelous and often overlooked trompe l'oeil false cupola,
covered in figures in various states of action and repose.

The Church of San Clemente
With a Mithraic temple in its lower levels, an earlier Christian
church above, and a medieval basilica above that, San Clemente
is Rome's unique history in microcosm.

The Galleria Borghese Click for a large size pic
Just opened after a drawn-out (even by Italian standards) refurbishment,
the Galeria Borghese is one of the city's finest small collections,
with a fantastic array of Bernini statues.

Giolitti
In the heart of the old city, Giolitti may be Rome's best place
to enjoy great ice cream, with no fewer than seventy flavours
on offer until 2am each morning.

The Church of Immaculate Conception
A must for fans of the macabre, the Church of Immaculate Conception
has the bones of some 4000 Capuchin monks set out in patterns
on the walls or simply left as skeletons and wrapped in their
original gowns.

Roman Forum / Colosseum Click
for a large size pic
The valley where the Roman Forum stands was originally marshland
until the Cloaca Maxima was constructed to drain it. So, given
its position between the slopes of the Quirinal, Viminal, Palatine
and Capitoline hills, it became a meeting place for commercial
dealings and was called "The Forum". The Colosseum was built
by the Emperors of the Flavian dynasty, and is the most imposing
monument of Ancient Rome.

St. Peter's BasilicaClick
for a large size pic
One of the most important and beautiful churches in Rome, whose
dome was designed by Bramante and Michelangelo, and built to
the base of the dome by Michelangelo himself. The magnificent
columnade was built by Gianlorenzo Bernini and the obelisk in
the centre of the square was erected by Sixtus V. Vatican City
- 4 Miles - A state governed both spiritually and politically
by the Pope. It is surrounded by a wall built to protect the
Tomb of St. Peter, and apart from the Basilica itself, the wall
encloses the Papal Palace and beautiful gardens.

Trevi FountainClick
for a large size pic
Imposing and mellifluous, built on to the back of the Poli Palace.
The basin is by Leon Battista Alberti and the monument is by
Nicola Salvi. In the central niche, the figure of Ocean stands
out, borne on a carriage made of a shell drawn by sea horses.
Catacombs - The ancient Christian cemetery. Spanish Steps -
5 Miles - Piazza di Spagna owes its name to the presence of
the Spanish Embassy in previous centuries.

Via Veneto
The street was made famous by Hollywood in the 1950's as it
became the meeting point for actors and jetsetters of the period.
Features outside cafes and exclusive shopping.

TrastevereClick
for a large size pic
Infamous trendy and artistic neighbourhood of Rome. Click on
pic. as example... This quarter of Rome is also full of galleries
and typical Roman "trattorie" (restaurants).

Capitoline Museums
One of the most important Roman museums holding recognized works
of ancient Rome as well as great works by Bernini, Caravaggio
and Domenichino.

Castel Sant'Angelo
Emperor Hadrian's Mausoleum constructed in A.D. 134, transformed
into a fortress 150 years later and renamed as such until the
beginning of the 19th century.